Core-shell structured nanocomposites, a type of talented functional materials with unique microstructure and properties, have shown great promise as photocatalysts for various applications, including photocatalytic degradation of pollutants, water splitting for hydrogen production, and selective organic transformations. The synthesis and utilization of efficient core-shell nanoarchitectured photocatalysts for selective organic synthesis are at the center of our research efforts and the focus of this minireview. Specifically, semiconductor-based core-shell nanocomposites, including metal-semiconductor, semiconductor-semiconductor, semiconductor-shell (graphene and SiO2) as photocatalysts/cocatalysts for selective oxidation of alcohols, reduction of nitro organics and carbon dioxide for synthesis of fine chemicals, and redox-combined selective synthesis of pipecolinic acid are summarized. It is hoped that this minireview can make a contribution to catalyzing the development of smart core-shell nanostructures in the field of photocatalytic selective organic transformations for solar energy conversion.